Introduction

There are 5 days until I leave for Ghana...gahh. I have so much to do before June 8th it's crazy. But instead of rushing around purchasing mosquito netting, bug spray, sunscreen, light clothing, and other fun goodies I will introduce myself to this blog...

My name is Nick and I am 19 years old. I am a rising sophomore at UMass Amherst, majoring in Biology and Dance. When I am not at school I live in Needham, Massachusetts. Yeah. I don't know what else to say. I like the color blue? I'm right handed? I have five siblings? And two dogs? I love Harry Potter? Team Edward?

Ghana! My flight is on June 8th and I will be returning one month later, on July 8th. My best friend Anna and I are volunteering with the organization Ghana ACT (ghanaact.org). In Ghana we will be a part of the organizations healthcare program, traveling with a local eye care

clinic throughout the Volta region providing services to communities without adequate healthcare. We will also be doing some community development on the days we do not do healthcare.

We will be staying in the town of Ho, which is a little ways north of Accra, the capital of Ghana (you can see it on the map below). Ghana is about the size of the state of Oregon and is bordered by Togo, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso.

Fun Fact: According to the CIA World Factbook, Lake Volta is the worlds largest artificial lake! It is not too far from Ho, I assume I will be making quite a few visits?

Another fun fact... using sporcle's super addicting/fun online quizzes, I decided to refresh my memory of the geography of Africa. After almost failing the quiz, I spent my morning memorizing the names and locations of all of the African countries... lolz.

There are many languages spoken in Ghana but the language that is primarily spoken in southeastern Ghana is Ewe. The language is a part of the Gbe languages and is also spoken in Togo and parts of Benin. Ewe is a tonal language so tones can greatly alter the meanings of certain words. I plan to try to learn as much of the language I can before I leave. I've never been good at picking up languages but I'm hoping Ewe will be an exception... We'll see haha

I'll add more information about this wonderful country before I leave and as I learn more while I am there.

So far I have gotten all bajilion of my vaccinations, purchased my malaria pills, got my visa/passport/plane ticket, and gathered a few necessary supplies. I still have a bunch to buy before I leave. and find a load of school supplies lying around the house to donate to the trip. then I need to pack... SO SOON. CAN'T WAIT.